The Nurse Is Performing a Respiratory Assessment of a Patient

The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment of a patient who has been experiencing episodes of hypoxia. The nurse is aware that this is ultimately attributable to impaired gas exchange. On what factor does adequate gas exchange primarily depend?

A) An appropriate perfusiondiffusion ratio
B) An adequate ventilationperfusion ratio
C) Adequate diffusion of gas in shunted blood
D) Appropriate blood nitrogen concentration